We have designed our systems to treat many situations, and each other, as complicated, which sets us up to fail when faced with complexity. In a time of increasingly rapid change and novel disruptions, the distinction becomes even more important. When faced with a challenge, we often jump straight to potential solutions without pausing to take stock (usually with good intentions), which almost guarantees mischaracterizing the problem, missing opportunities, and unintentionally perpetuating the challenges we seek to address.

Some of the toughest problems we face, from climate change to poverty are complex and will never be “solved” to the point of no longer needing our attention. Same goes for leadership transitions, strategic planning, and conflict resolution in the workplace. Despite using technological metaphors for humanity constantly, humans and our interactions are also complex, and therefore cannot be “optimized” like a machine.

This is why a strong strategy executed by the “right” people is not enough to experience positive outcomes in the workplace —outcomes and cultures emerge from how we are together in real time, not from what plan to do or say we are.

Some common misses that Cheyenne helps address:

• Failing to identify and account for the difference between complicated and complex problems
• Conversations that avoid the real issue
• Processes and spaces that don’t account for internal power dynamics/feel performative or out of touch
• Plans and strategies that look good on paper but no one actually follows
• People and teams feeling burned out, frustrated, overwhelmed
• Gaps between what needs to be done and a person or team’s capacity

What Creates Lasting Change

Strong work, healthy organizations, and systemic change are enabled by people and organizations with the capacity to navigate complexity and change with high awareness and skill.

Meaningful conversations and connections in the workplace and beyond are preconditions for adaptability and positive, long-lasting outcomes. How humans are together dictates how we implement thoughtful strategies and experiments, adapt to changing conditions, and build true resilience over time.

Cheyenne helps bring these things about through her work in strategic consulting, facilitation, and developmental/executive coaching. A few outcomes Cheyenne has experience supporting:

• Identifying complicated vs. complex situations and tailoring responses accordingly
• More candid, generative conversations that help build trust, reveal new possibilities, and advance the work (not all conflict is bad)
• Processes and spaces that acknowledge and bring more balance to internal power dynamics to support diverse participation and enough safety to be honest
• Plans and strategies that are co-created, backed by staff/stakeholder ownership, and useful both day-to-day and looking ahead
• People and teams who are more connected to purpose, each other, and contribute to a positive workplace culture
• People and teams who communicate more clearly, have more awareness, employ more curiosity, and remain committed to their own development

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